At least 564 persons have been killed in 534 fatal road accidents reported across the country from January 01 to April 09 this year, police said.

Police spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa said the number of minor, as well as serious accidents reported during the period, were 2,446 and 1,345 respectively.

He said around 2,500 to 3,000 fatal accidents are being reported each year and more than 90 per cent of those reported were due to reckless driving.

"When compared with the last two years, the numbers of accidents reported due to road engineering faults, bad weather and technical faults of vehicles were very limited," he said.

Accordingly, the number of accidents reported during the last two years due to road engineering faults, mechanical faults and adverse weather were 6, 26 and 06 respectively.

Also, 34 accidents due to drivers falling asleep at the wheel were reported in 2021 while the number of accidents last year was 50.

The spokesman said that the number of accidents can be reduced if the drivers can maintain high-speed driving, do not drive under the influence of alcohol and adhere to traffic rules.

"Cyclists and pedestrians should also be more vigilant when using the roads, especially during the night," SSP Thalduwa advised.(Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya)